About

Grandma’s Secret

September 10th, 2013

Yet another personal blog, and about what you may wonder…

about nothing more than a simple record of photographs or snapshots of the different events, experiences, and observations that create my life’s collage. My intention is to document those little things that make my day shine by triggering a thought, an old memory, or a feeling through words and quick snapshots of LIFE AS I SEE IT. After all this is what I am most passionate about: capturing the essence of the different traditions, joys and struggles of societies and implementing story telling in my photography. Only these here are mostly quick snapshots with my Iphone of life on-the-go. If you are interested in seeing who I am as a photographer visit my site: www.cifography.com

Bits and pieces of who I am:

When I was 13 I was taking dark room classes while the other kids where playing soccer or taking dance lessons. I was then using an old Zenit camera that my dad had brought from Russia. I fell in love with Photography right there and then, but always did it for fun. I came to the US and majored in Graphic Design back in 2001 and co-owned my own business in San Jose. Photography has always been my passion and at age 30 I decided to double major, and enrolled at the Academy of Art . It has been the best decision I have ever made, to say the least, and there is not a day I wake up regretting it. I think photography, I see photography, I dream photography.

I try to see farther than just the physical object. I find a feeling in them that I want to evoke on the viewer and try to connect with the subject to tell a story. My purpose often is to evoke romanticism. There is more to photography than technique, or having a good camera.

Some of my favorite quotes are:

“Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: rationalize them, understand them thoroughly. After that, it will be possible for you to sublimate them.” – Salvador Dalí

People that have crossed the lines despite the rules of society and have made it in the creative world inspire me. Those who never give up despite the struggles that life throws at them. Feelings, negative or positive, they all evoke something that triggers an idea that becomes a doodle in a paper napkin somewhere, or a note on my iPhone, and that eventually takes form in the studios or the streets of my surroundings.

What makes my world?

A good photo shoot. An unexpected micro-moment that I get to capture. Sunsets and sunrises. Music. Spain. Teaching kids my native language. Smiles. Hugs. Childhood memories. A good glass of Sangria with a good Paella. Family. Trips. Relationships. The chance to cross the limits of what is acceptable and unacceptable in this society and be able to capture it with my camera. Naps under the sun. Discovering an amazing new artist or a great photograph. Meeting creative people. Learning. Loving.